Josephine C. Desmond of Marshfield passed away peacefully in her home on July 14, 2021 at 100 years of age. Josephine was born and raised in Dorchester, Lower Mills, daughter of the late Arthur F. Desmond, Sr. and Catherine A. (Burke) Desmond. Sister of the late Arthur F. Desmond, Jr., also of Lower Mills, she is survived by her sister in-law Catherine T. (Haverty) Desmond and nieces and nephews Kathleen M. Desmond and her husband David Van Orden of Weymouth, Sheila M. and her husband John Manning of Scituate, Paul F. Desmond of Braintree, Maura and her husband Robert Corso of Braintree, and their families.

Josephine graduated St. Gregory High School in Dorchester and Salem State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She graduated Boston University, School of Education, in 1952 with a Master of Science Degree in Education. Jo taught for 37 years in public high schools and Junior Colleges, and retired in 1983 as Head of the Business Department for Milton Public Schools.

Josephine moved to Marshfield after retirement where she built a house overlooking the South River. She became involved in the activities of St. Ann's Church as a Lector, visiting Communion Minister, and Coordinator of the Crafters who raised money for the church. Jo was interested in ancestry, having lived through 6 generations. She loved to travel and her greatest trip was to the Holy Land at the age of 85. After being declared legally blind in 2008, she kept in touch with family and friends by phone.

Josephine served in the U.S. Marine Corps WR during WWII and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1946. She was a life long member of the Women Marines Association and the William Caddy Post, Marine Corp League. Josephine also served on two Marshfield Town Committees, first to erect a memorial for the Veterans of WWII and then for a memorial to the Korean War Veterans. She also served on the Marshfield Historical Committee.

Josephine was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for over 60 years amd served in various offices - Court Nativity 455 of Dorchester, Court Milton 1198, and Court Mother Seton 2112 of Marshfield. She also served the State Court as a District Deputy, State Chairman of Publicity, and as Editor of the CDA News. Jo was also a member of the 60+ Club, and a member of the Red Hat Mermaids.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield and will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Ann by the Sea Parish Church, 591 Ocean Street in Marshfield. Interment will be at a later date in New Calvary Cemetery of Boston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Boston Children's Hospital, Down Syndrome Clinic, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston MA 02215.

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com